Text – Ann M. Martin
This is the first of Raina’s BSC graphic novel adaptations that I’ve seen in their full technicolor glory. I’m so in love with it, not that I didn’t enjoy the black and white illustrations in the versions I read of the first two graphic novels in the series.
Raina has once again captured the original story so well. Her illustrations are always amazing, with giggle-worthy exaggerated expressions.
I have so many favourites in this graphic novel, but check out Kristy’s face when she realises she’s broken one of her own BSC rules! Priceless!
The differences in the story, which were all only minor, that stood out to me as I was reading were:
Book: Mary Anne’s mother’s name is not mentioned.
Graphic novel: Mary Anne’s mother’s name is Alma. I don’t remember ever knowing this before.
Book: Mary Anne wishes Humpty Dumpty and two Alice in Wonderland pictures weren’t on her bedroom wall.
Graphic novel: Mary Anne wishes Humpty Dumpty and Mother Goose pictures weren’t on her bedroom wall.
Book: When Mary Anne looks around the cafeteria the day after the BSC’s fight, the fourth chair at her usual table has been removed.
Graphic novel: When Mary Anne looks around the cafeteria the day after the BSC’s fight, the fourth chair at her usual table has Kristy’s backpack and hoodie on it.
Book: Dawn temporarily has the family’s VCR in her room. Her mother taped The Parent Trap.
Graphic novel: Dawn temporarily has the family’s DVD player in her room. Her mother bought The Parent Trap.
Book: Mary Anne babysits for Jenny Prezzioso both times.
Graphic novel: Stacey babysits for Jenny Prezzioso the first time.
Book: Mary Anne gives her note to Mimi to pass along to Claudia later in the story.
Graphic novel: Mary Anne gives Claudia her note at the end of the first BSC meeting after the fight.
Book: We attend the first Prezzioso job with Mary Anne but we don’t read about it in the BSC notebook.
Graphic novel: Stacey writes up the first Prezzioso job in the BSC notebook. We also attend the job with her.
Book: Claudia blasts music on her tape deck when it’s Mary Anne’s turn to answer the BSC calls.
Graphic novel: Claudia blasts music on her CD player when it’s Mary Anne’s turn to answer the BSC calls.
Book: When Mary Anne and Kristy babysit together, the eight Pike kids put on two plays.
Graphic novel: When Mary Anne and Kristy babysit together, Mary Anne only reads to the younger Pike kids upstairs before bedtime. There are no plays.
Book: The second time the BSC babysit for Jenny, she’s wearing a pale blue dress with a white collar and cuffs, and white tights, shoes and hair ribbon.
Graphic novel: The second time the BSC babysit for Jenny, she’s wearing a white dress, a short sleeve black cardigan, white socks, black and white shoes and a red hair ribbon.
Book: Mary Anne has Blueberries For Sal, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and Caps For Sale in her Kid-Kit.
Graphic novel: Mary Anne has Princess Gwynn and Hats for Bats in her Kid-Kit.
Book: Mr Prezzioso gives Mary Anne and Dawn $10 each after they take care of Jenny when she’s sick.
Graphic novel: Mr Prezzioso gives Mary Anne and Dawn $50 each after they take care of Jenny when she’s sick.
Book: Mary Anne doesn’t visit her mother’s grave.
Graphic novel: Mary Anne visits her mother’s grave after her fight with Dawn. I thought this was a really good addition, especially given how lonely and upset Mary Anne is at this point in the story.
Book: At Jamie (Hi-hi!) Newton’s birthday party, Kristy is the one that suggests the kids sit around the couch and gloats when Mrs Newton agrees with her.
Graphic novel: At Jamie (Hi-hi!) Newton’s birthday party, we don’t see which babysitter suggests the kids sit around the couch but Claudia is the one who gloats, so I guess it was her.
Book: At the end, Dawn says, “To me!” I prefer this version; it made me smile when I read it.
Graphic novel: At the end, Dawn says, “To us!!”
Random thoughts:
Mary Anne’s room is just as pink as I imagined it would be. Humpty Dumpty is even on the wall.
Mary Anne’s dad is kinda cute, in a dad way, of course. When I’ve I imagined him previously, he’s been exclusively dour until the very end of the story and sort of bland looking.
Mimi looks more adorable that I’d even hoped. I love Mimi! I know she’s not a BSC member but I’d love to read her memoirs.
Also, Claudia’s response to the “my Mary Anne” incident is brilliant!
I love that we get to see Mary Anne give her father the scarf she’s been working on with Mimi’s help for a couple of books. That was my favourite illustration.
About the cover: Love it! Love the colours. Love the expressions. My only nitpicks are that Mary Anne’s skirt is clearly above her knees and I’m certain that her dad, Richie, would never have allowed Mary Anne to leave the house looking like that. Why, that would almost be as scandalous as giving her permission to wear pants to school! Also, is it just me or at a quick glance, does it look as though Claudia doesn’t have pupils, giving her a bit of a zombie vibe?
Once Upon a Blurb
When The Baby-sitters Club gets into a huge fight, Mary Anne is left to her own devices. She has to eat by herself in the school cafeteria, figure out how to make new friends and deal with her overprotective father. But the worst happens when she finds herself in a babysitting emergency and can’t turn to her friends for help. Will Mary Anne solve her problems and save The Baby-sitters Club from falling apart?
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